Flaming June is the driest on record...with 91F on the way

The glorious sunshine has given Britain the appearance of a paradise isle, complete with sun-drenched beaches. This couple could easily have imagined themselves in the Caribbean as they looked down on Pedn Vounder beach in Cornwall.

A couple on holiday from Devon take in the view of Pednevounder beach (Image: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

The idyllic scene shows a fine sandy beach and turquoise sea, although taking a dip in the bracing 59F water would leave bathers in no doubt where they were.BRITAIN had its driest June on record as water firms pumped billions of extra gallons to keep pace with demand amid growing fears of a shortage.

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Britain had its driest June on record as water firms pumped billions of extra gallons to keep pace with demand amid growing fears of a shortage.

And the longest heatwave to hit the UK since 1976 is likely to continue for the rest of July, forecasters said yesterday, as temperatures reached highs of 85F for the eighth day in a row.

Last month saw just six per cent of expected rainfall across counties like Essex and Dorset, the Met Office said, while Scotland enjoyed its highest ever temperature, nearly 92F, recorded in Motherwell on June 28.

Meanwhile, utility companies have been trying to cope with a 30 per cent higher demand for water.

Weather forecasters were expecting very little rain and high temperatures throughout this month.

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A high-pressure system over Britain will keep temperatures in the high 70s and 80s, with computer models suggesting there will be no widespread rain through the first half of July. In 1976 there were a record 45 days without rain.

Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said: “We could see 91F in the second half of the week.

“Next week looks much like last week and could come close to 95F.

“Lots of very warm, dry, sunny and settled weather is ahead and humid nights mean it will be difficult to sleep,” she warned.

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People take part in a game of beach volleyball on Boscombe beach in Dorset

Thames Water is funnelling an extra 99 million gallons a day as it deals with “record levels” of demand and many suppliers are warning customers to use water sparingly.

Southern Water asked customers on Thursday to spend no longer than four minutes showering and to use rainwater to water plants.

Severn Trent Water in the Midlands and United Utilities in the North-west have asked people to not use hosepipes and sprinklers.

Northern Ireland introduced its first hosepipe ban in 23 years last Friday and in the Republic of Ireland, a month long ban took effect yesterday in the greater Dublin area.

Council staff and social workers are making extra checks on the vulnerable and elderly in an “annual heatwave plan”, developed after more than 2,000 people died in England in 2003 because of extreme temperatures.

A heatwave health alert was issued by the Met Office for the South-west and South-east, lasting until 9pm today.

Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board, said: “The hundreds of deaths caused by high temperatures each year are avoidable.

“Councils are determined to reduce the toll as much as possible, but they cannot do it alone.

Holidaymakers sit and relax as they look out over the sea at Newquay in Cornwall (Image: Getty )

“Local people can make a massive difference by helping us identify other residents who might need some advice or practical help.”

The heat has led to a heightened risk of wildfires, with firefighters continuing to battle several in the North-west, including a huge blaze on Saddleworth Moor.

Arsonists have reportedly been spotted by a police helicopter crew trying to light fires at a grassland called Healey Nab, four miles from Winter Hill, near Bolton, where firefighters are currently tackling a massive blaze.

A 22-year-old man from Bolton has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with this.

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Lots of people are out and about taking advantage of the sunny British weather as the UK currently experiences its warmest weather of the year.

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are serious conditions if they are not treated quickly and effectively, but people can ignore the symptoms and pass them off as normal during hot weather.

Bob Dimond, Medway council’s head of sport, leisure, tourism and heritage, said the popular Strand pool, which was packed at the weekend, would be closed for cleaning, adding that temperatures were forecast to reach just 73F.

Peter Wright, 64, who is vice chairman of Friends of Strand Pool, said: “It is ridiculous. We are very frustrated and irritated.

“The forecast on the BBC is 75F. This is a fantastic 122-year-old lido. But is boiling hot and you can’t go for a swim.

"They really need to pull their finger out. It seems a lost opportunity for them. It also shuts at 5pm, when lots of people want to come after work or school.”